I’ve always considered producing a very lucrative television series to be its own reward, but House of Cards mucky-muck Charles Goldstein just sent a letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch in which he threatens to “break down our stage, sets and offices and set up in another state” if Maryland lawmakers fail to increase tax incentives for show.
Mind you, the show gets tax breaks already: $11 million for Season 1 and up to $15 million for Season 2. Bills are kicking around in the Maryland legislature that could raise that to $18 million for Season 3.
What’s so frustrating about this letter (which does not name a target tax break value), is that it’s not as if the relationship isn’t already mutually beneficial. Media Rights Capital (the show’s production company) employs a large number of people, and for that they get to make scads of money producing the highest rated television show that’s not technically on television.
Does Goldstein even watch House of Cards?! Does he have any idea how Underwood he is being right now?!
Baltimore, a diverse geographic city is the only choice President Underwood. Where else can you get ribs on Greenmount Avenue and have a fundraiser at the Baltimore Country Club? All within a few miles. We offer you the proximity you need to D.C. at a much lower production cost. I love your show “like a shark loves blood”.
President Underwood, you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink …or can you?